novelraw Chapter 673 - 643 Filial Piety_1
Chapter 673 - 643 Filial Piety_1
Old Master Zhang, upon hearing these touching words from his grandson, was truly moved and comforted. It proved that his years of affectionate care for Zhang Yichen were not in vain; he had indeed taught his grandson how to live and handle affairs. This was his greatest pride in life. He had never imagined himself experiencing such a rewarding moment. His life had seen far too much, too many upheavals; he had had no time to experience these things, but they had made his life so rich and colorful. Everything could change because of any one person, yet he had not expected that, throughout the years, his grandson would always remember his original intentions. Zhang Yichen always kept in mind the pledge he once made. No matter where he went, he remembered his mission, never forgetting what he truly desired deep inside, nor the vows he took to ensure he could one day succeed, providing himself with even greater comfort internally.
"Child, you are the most filial son in this world. You are well aware of all that you’ve done over the years, yet you’ve never thought of abandoning your actions. You’ve always kept your vows deep within your heart, treating everything cherished there as significant. Do you know how joyful, how delighted your grandfather felt when he heard your words today? Although I may never reach the apex in my lifetime, your words made me very proud, for I have raised such a perfect son."
"Never compare yourself to others, because they may not be the model you aspire to become. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Blindly following others’ footsteps will only leave you idle, time and again unsure of what to do. Everyone has their most true and sincere thoughts deep within, unwilling to change for someone else’s sake, confusing their career with what they most want deep inside. If that is so, then one truly wastes their lifetime, and life becomes incredibly hard to endure. Yet, for the sake of survival, what can be done? Is it not only by constantly striving that one lives less hardship and exhaustion?"
You also believe that you’ve faced countless storms in this life. You cannot forget the hardships and tears you’ve endured. Every step to today has been arduous. How could you willingly allow someone else to pull you down? You too wish to reach the peak of life, to live happily. You are not an idle person; since childhood, you’ve known yourself to be proud and ambitious, willing to work tirelessly to achieve your goals. This is precisely why your grandfather invested all his heart into nurturing you, subjecting you to training again and again."
Old Master Zhang said to Zhang Yichen and then turned to Zhentian, continuing, "You parents have been truly ruthless, having not returned to her side for so many years. Do you know how hard his life has been? Have you seen with your own eyes the sweat and tears he shed from grueling training, the injuries on his body, the blood that couldn’t be stopped from flowing, while he desperately suppressed his pain? His face twisted in agony, but he refused to let anyone see his pained expression, because he knew no one in this world could help him, only whether his own heart was strong enough.
He showed me through his actions that maybe he’d never be able to live a happy life, but because he gave his all to achieve his goals, he has no regrets. This is the greatest gain of his life. You’ve never felt what that’s like, for you never thought about fighting for family to the extent of risking life itself. In your eyes, anything can be forsaken except for personal freedom. You are too selfish and self-centered, and it’s simply unbelievable that these are my flesh and blood, my own son, and daughter-in-law."
Sometimes I really want to tell you, if you had even the slightest filial piety, why not visit me at home? If you felt even the tiniest guilt, why keep wandering the world without willing to accompany me? This is also an indelible pain for me. I am an old man, your father, yet how could you bear to leave me here alone, handing your son over to me to wander the world on your own? You’ve been away for so long; are you truly happy, truly joyful? Have you really achieved everything you desired?
Although I’ve long known that you will regret your actions one day, I never expected it to come so quickly. You’ve never considered where you’ve gone wrong; you only blindly seek forgiveness from others. But why should they forgive you time and again? With each act, others can only see you as someone beyond saving, a hopeless villain..."
"Dad, I know I was wrong; please, don’t say these things to me anymore. What I should not have done most is to have left my son and chosen to pursue my freedom outside.
Because of my actions, my tone has become as awkward as it is now, for no one has experienced what’s in my heart, nor does anyone understand the pain I’ve felt these years. They cannot understand my guilt, which has haunted me all these years, and I’ve never forgotten it, for I know that once I forget this guilt, I shall fall into an abyss of suffering..."